I have been attempting to keep track of the brass I'm reloading . Basically, how many times I reload the cases. I have a container marked 1meaning loaded once ,another marked two and so on. This is getting tedious and annoying. Especially when I'm at the range picking up other folks brass and trying to keep mine from mixing with that brass. I'm talking about 9mm since this is the only caliber I'm reloading for now. Do any of you keep tabs on this ? Should I just save myself the trouble and let it all mix ? I figured I can keep track of wear and tear on the cases if I separate them.

I used to keep track of my case usage (as best I could). That lasted about two months...

The thing is that unless you start with your own new brass, you'll never know how many times it was previously loaded anyway. A lot of the "new" brass I've reloaded the very first time might have been loaded a dozen times previously. If you shoot a lot (as I do for organized 2 times a week IPSC practices), I'd spend more time sorting than I would shooting. Then you have to get the rest of the guys to sort their share of brass to remove your cases. It just ain't feasible for me.

I also don't see much value in keeping track. I just watch out for bad cases - usually split case mouth or loose primer pockets. I don't find many like that. And with my IPSC buddies, we've probably reloaded a portion of each others' brass 50 times!

I don't track pistol brass in anything except 44 mag where the loads are obviously a lot hotter. I watch for split necks as I load, but find honestly that most autoloader brass gets lost before it wears out.

No, I gave it up a long time ago as well..../ its not practical at an indoor range with a concrete floor ( I swept up a gallon bag full of brass in my lane and surrounding area on Sunday...)...and I probably got at least 5 calibers in the mix...

I check the cases after I clean them ....and toss out anything that looks suspect....beyond that, I just don't care ...

Yeah I'm convinced , I'm going to start mixing and just keep an eye out for the beat up cases. That chart and link was great too. Thanks .

The chart looks great, but I don't like their methodology.

They tested a single lot of each brand, only tested 2 cases from that lot, and only tested in a single pistol.
It's a rather tiny sample size, that might not be at all representative of each overall brand; or even the way those same cases would behave in a different chamber.

I understand it was still a large test (fair number of rounds fired), with quite a bit of time in the project, but the data set is too small to draw definitive conclusions.

The chart, alone, should make a reader question the data set, with it showing some very dramatic differences in the life of cases from the very same lot.

__________________"Such is the strange way that man works -- first he virtually destroys a species and then does everything in his power to restore it."

I check the cases after I clean them ....and toss out anything that looks suspect....beyond that, I just don't care ...

Thats my system as well.

I sort by cartridge................and if its loadable or not. I don't keep track of times shot, don't segregate once fired from unknown range pickup, don't separate by headstamp, age, or whether its nickle plated or plain old brass. It gets a once over to check for cracks or creases (dents are fine, as long as they aren't creased), mud, or horrible pitting on the outside.

Cases that dont' pass the "cranky would shoot it" test (as my brothers call it) get chucked in a jug to recycle. The rest get reloaded untill they either get lost (most common) or start cracking.........and depending on the size and placement of the crack, they may get loaded one last time before being tossed in the scrap jug.

Yep. I'll just add I DO sort by headstamp, and I just have ziplock bags with REM WIN and all that on them..

I don't lose my brass before it wears out, but I'll shoot it until it has cracks or loose primer pockets without worrying. I keep on top of trimming, and that gives me a good chance to notice cracks around the mouth, which is usually how mine bite the dust.

__________________
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress." -Mark Twain-

Yep. I'll just add I DO sort by headstamp, and I just have ziplock bags with REM WIN and all that on them..

I used to. And, I do still work new loads up (generally) only in Winchester brass for 9mm and .380 Auto.

But, once I have the load finalized, I load it up in my "grab bag" of brass - 2-4 of each head stamp of significant quantity in my stash (about 170 cases, total). I run all of that through the pistol, and call it good if there were no issues. From then on, the load is run in bulk on my Dillon 550B, with mixed brass. I still inspect everything, but I don't bother sorting.

In contrast, as F. Guffey is always bringing up, I go to great lengths to sort, prep, and track my rifle brass. But for semi-auto handgun cartridges, 9mm especially, I haven't found even sorting by headstamp to make any real difference.

__________________"Such is the strange way that man works -- first he virtually destroys a species and then does everything in his power to restore it."

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.